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Q
What is an independent school and what are the advantages of an independent school education?
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A
Independent schools are guided by their missions and are privately supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions, and endowment revenue. There are many advantages to an independent school education including personalized attention for students and their parents, rigorous yet innovative curriculum, a carefully prepared environment, and the opportunity for students to participate in a wide variety of developmentally appropriate school experiences. Independent schools also offer low student-to-teacher ratios, allowing teachers to focus more time on the needs and interests of individual children.
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Q
When will my child receive information about the start of school?
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A
In late July, we mail a letter to every Westminster family explaining back-to-school procedures. Included with this letter are a Parent/Student Handbook, a supply list, and a list of parent volunteer opportunities. If you have questions that need to be addressed before August 1, the main office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday during the summer. The staff will be able to answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate person.
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Q
How can our family become more familiar with Westminster routines and traditions?
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A
Positive, open, and frequent contact between the School and our students’ families is vital to educational success. Parents can call the School, ask questions of teachers and staff, and volunteer at events. The most effective way to feel a part of the Westminster community is to get involved in the activities at the School. We offer parents several ways to become involved: parents may attend programs or exhibitions, volunteer to assist in school social and fund-raising activities, schedule a visit to their child’s classroom, or serve as resources for teachers. Completing the parent volunteer sheets sent in July is the first step in this process.
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Q
How do I learn about upcoming school events?
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A
This website contains school calendars, the “Thursday Note,” newsletters and other important information. Additionally, each Parent/Student Handbook has a calendar of vacations and events for the school year. All students receive the “Thursday Note” each week that contains information about up-coming programs for parents and students. A monthly calendar highlighting important events is also sent home, as are grade-level letters and notices of events.
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Q
How will I know how my child is doing?
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A
Westminster School encourages parents to foster relationships with their child’s teacher(s). Parent conferences may be scheduled when needed. In addition to scheduled conferences, teachers contact parents to discuss any concerns. Written reports, including grades (when appropriate), and comments about each student’s work and progress are sent home at different times throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to review the Parent/Student Handbook for their child’s division to learn more about the School’s respectful, logical, and age-appropriate evaluation and discipline policies.
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Q
Why does Westminster School only go through the eighth grade?
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A
We want our students to have positive, enriched childhoods, without the pressure to grow up too soon. Because our children are not overshadowed by high school students, Westminster students feel free to ask questions, attempt the unfamiliar, and express themselves confidently. The School’s curriculum and environment encourage the growth and development of all children from preschool through early adolescence. Westminster offers children an opportunity to develop feelings of self-worth and confidence along with the ability to think for themselves. All these things combined allow our graduates to be successful in high school.
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Q
What extracurricular activities are available, and how does my child get involved?
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A
Music, art, drama, and physical education are part of our School’s curriculum in all three divisions. School coached competitive athletics begin in fourth grade. MathCounts begins in sixth grade. We value a balance between academics and extracurricular activities, and we strive to offer varied, age-appropriate opportunities so that all students at Westminster School are included in activities which they enjoy and in which they can experience success.
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Q
How does the School fund its programs?
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A
Westminster School is a tuition driven school. Tuition helps pay teacher salaries and other education related costs. In addition to tuition, parents are encouraged, but are not required, to make financial gifts to the School. These gifts are necessary because tuition only pays approximately 83% of the cost of a Westminster education. Unlike tuition, financial gifts such as those to the Annual Giving Fund are tax deductible. Current Westminster School facilities and teaching resources are the result of past gifts from friends of the School. As previous donors provided for our student population in the past, parents and friends of the School will continue to provide for our children today and for future generations.
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Q
Is the School affiliated with a particular church denomination?
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Westminster School is an inclusive environment and welcomes students, faculty, and staff from a variety of faiths and backgrounds. Religion classes are not a part of the School’s curriculum. Westminster School does, however, promote character development among its students and provides a safe, ethical environment in which to learn. Our facilities are adjacent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, and the School rents classroom space from the Church for first through fourth grades.
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Q
What safety precautions have been established to protect Westminster students?
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The School lies within a gated perimeter. There are limited access points at each division building, and keys or codes are required at other points along the perimeter. The Primary and Middle Division buildings have keypad entries. The main entrance to the Lower Division is also controlled by a magnetic lock, so only parents and appropriate staff have access to the buildings. The School also has security cameras monitoring entrances to buildings, and visitors must sign in at each division office. Also, all volunteers must have completed background checks prior to working with children at Westminster School. Westminster has developed a Crisis Management Plan which is revised and reviewed annually with all faculty and staff. We have the ability to lock classroom doors if an emergency should arise, and our younger children are always supervised and accompanied by an adult as they move from room to room. Westminster has a student to teacher ratio of 10:1, which makes it easier to monitor and interact with children. Clearly detailed check-in and check-out procedures, along with caring and vigilant teachers who put the safety of children first, enable the School to provide a carefully prepared environment focused on safety for its students.
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Q
How does Westminster School educate children about health and wellness?
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Westminster School nurses care for children if they become ill, and also work with teachers to plan and implement educational lessons about nutrition, exercise, and positive, healthy lifestyles. Physical education classes are offered in every division. Beginning in the Primary Division, movement and exercise are practiced. Lower and Middle Division children play games, practice sports, use the School’s two climbing walls, and are guided to make physical activity a part of their daily lives. Westminster School has wonderful facilities conducive to physical activity. Each division has its own gymnasium. Campus facilities include a climbing wall, a traverse wall, and a conditioning room, complete with treadmills, elliptical machines, strength training equipment and recumbent stationary bicycles.
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Q
Are there competitive sports at Westminster School?
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A
Westminster School sponsors competitive sports starting with basketball in fourth grade. Track and volleyball are added in fifth grade. Tennis and soccer are options beginning in sixth grade. Middle Division students may also participate in football at BMCHS. All Westminster coached athletic teams strive to follow the School’s philosophy of providing teams which are balanced, open to all Westminster students in the grade, and coached by School employees.
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Q
Does Westminster offer before and/or after school care for my child?
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Children enrolled in the Primary Division and in the Lower Division may arrive as early as 7:45 a.m. Primary children meet in the Primary library with a teacher and enjoy conversation and stories until 8:15 a.m. Lower School children are supervised in the Lower Division library where they read, play board games, draw, and quietly converse until their classrooms open at 8:00 a.m. Middle Division students may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. and may use the time to prepare for the day or visit with friends. There is no fee for early arrival.
Primary Division children may enroll in the After School Program, which runs daily from 3:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. Children are supervised by Westminster teachers and After School Program staff. Children have an afternoon snack, play outside, as well as participate in enriching activities in the After School Program room. There is a $50 enrollment fee and a $150 per month fee for attending the Primary After School Program.
Lower Division children may enroll in After School Club, which runs daily from 3:15 p.m. until 5:50 p.m. Children in grades 1-5 enjoy a healthy snack, outdoor play time, as well as recreation in the Lower Division gym and After School Club room. Assistance with homework is available. There is a $50 enrollment fee and a $145 per month fee for attending Lower Division After School Club.
Middle Division students have the option of participating in a drop-in study hall that is available from the end of the school day until 5:50 p.m. Students work in a relatively quiet environment where they can complete homework or read as they wait for their rides or for their athletic practices. The cost is $1.50 per half hour for attending study hall.